Taking a stern stance on administrative laxity, Punjab Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Tuesday issued strict directions to the Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars, who were transferred a day before, to immediately report to their new postings. Warning of surprise inspections, the Minister has also made it clear that any officer found absent from duty will face swift and decisive action.
Mundian, in a social media post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), said that he would personally conduct checks in revenue offices across the State to ensure compliance. “Absenteeism and indiscipline in public offices will not be tolerated. People should not face harassment or inconvenience due to officials not taking their responsibilities seriously,” he wrote, reiterating the State Government’s commitment to efficient and corruption-free governance.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, had recently ordered the transfer of 56 Tehsildars and 166 Naib Tehsildars as a part of sweeping administrative reforms in the Revenue Department. The move followed persistent complaints from the public regarding inefficiency, delays, and alleged misconduct in revenue offices. However, several officers have reportedly failed to join their new positions despite the transfer orders being issued.
Mundian emphasized that these transfers were made in line with the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and poor service delivery. “Public grievances and administrative shortcomings prompted the transfers. Our objective is to restore people’s trust in government functioning, and no one will be allowed to sabotage that goal,” he added.
This is not the first time the Revenue Department has come under the scanner. On March 5, a similar round of transfers was carried out, following a strike by revenue officials protesting the arrest of a Tehsildar by the Vigilance Bureau. At that time, the Chief Minister himself had intervened and visited field offices to assess the ground reality. When around 18 officers failed to rejoin duties within the stipulated timeframe, they were promptly suspended, and others were transferred, some even up to 250 kilometers away from their previous postings.
Building on that precedent, the latest directive underscored the government's intention to maintain discipline and accountability among its officers. Mundian has made it clear that disciplinary inertia will not be ignored. “If officials continue to disregard orders, the government will not hesitate to replace them,” he said firmly.
The Revenue Department plays a crucial role in public administration, especially in matters related to land, property, and legal documentation. Mundian’s move is seen as a bid to cleanse the system of inefficiencies and ensure people do not have to suffer delays or bribery while accessing essential services.